Fortunoff Fine Jewelry
Freshwater cultured pearls are cultured through an implantation process similar to that of the saltwater, except that no shell bead is needed. A tiny piece of tissue stimulates the freshwater mussel to produce nacre, coating the tiny implant and creating the freshwater cultured pearl. Freshwater culturing originated in the waters of Lake Biwa in Japan, and the first freshwater cultured pearls were sometimes called "Biwa" pearls. Today, due to heavy pollution, Lake Biwa is no longer a producer of commercial quantities of pearls. Fortunately, China has taken over this role, and recent harvests have yielded breathtaking sizes and qualities of cultured freshwater pearls. They come in natural pinks, mauves and peaches, as well as color-enhanced blacks, bronzes and greys. Smaller quantities of freshwater cultured pearls are also grown in the southeastern United States, as well as other locales around the world.
For more information about pearls see our complete Pearl Guide.
Our exacting standards, meticulous attention to detail, and friendly service ensure that you will always be completely satisfied with your fine cultured pearl selection from EFG Designs.
If you have questions, email us at: service@efgdesigns.com.
Special Care for Cultured Pearl Jewelry
- Freshwater and saltwater (akoya) cultured pearls are often bleached to achieve a more uniform, desirable hue. Many pearls, particularly from freshwaters, are dyed or otherwise treated to create more vivid and interesting hues. These treatments are all permanent.
- Cultured pearls have an organic surface coating (called 'nacre'), which is susceptible to chipping. It requires special care to prevent chipping, cracking or discoloration.
- "Last on, First off." Put your cultured pearls on after applying all cosmetics, hairspray, nail polish or perfume. Similarly, remove them before beginning your nighttime beauty regimen.
- Never wear cultured pearls while bathing, swimming, or working with chemicals. These substances may damage the surface of your cultured pearls, or weaken the silk on which they are strung.
- Use only a clean, soft cloth to wipe your cultured pearls and cultured pearl jewelry after wearing. Store them in a soft pouch, cloth or jewelry box to prevent scratching by other jewelry.
- If your cultured pearl jewelry becomes more heavily soiled, it’s time for a more thorough professional cleaning and restringing. Strung necklaces and bracelets, when worn often, should be restrung at least every few years.
For more information on jewelry care see our complete Jewelry Care Guide.
If you have questions about how to care for your jewelry, email us at: service@fortunoffjewelry.com.
General Shipping Information
- We make every attempt to fill your order as quickly as possible. Most in-stock orders are shipped within 3-4 business days.
- Our standard residential shipping method is USPS Priority Mail.
- We require a signature upon delivery for orders over $700 and for all orders being delivered to an apartment, suite or business.
- Expedited orders that are designated for Overnight or 2-Day service (Fedex) may not ship the same day they were ordered. These are subject to normal order processing and fulfillment, including security screening that protects you, our customer.
- Merchandise will be billed to your credit card when ready to ship, with the exception of custom orders, which are billed at time of order.
- If your order cannot be shipped within 4 business days after it is confirmed, we will notify you by e-mail and/or phone. For items that are back-ordered, special order or require sizing or personalization we will contact you regarding ship date.
- For rush orders, special situations, or stock inquiries, please call our Customer Service Team at 1-800-636-7886 or e-mail service@efgdesigns.com.
- We do not ship orders on Friday, Saturday or Sunday. We ship the next business day.
- We do not ship to international, APO or FPO addresses.
- Our jewelry ships in a gift box. Free gift wrapping and hand-written gift cards are available when you indicate your request at "check-out" in the appropriate fields.
- If you don't require a box, we can ship in a pouch.
Shipping Method
Shipping rates are based on the shipping method you choose. We offer the following services (all are based on total purchase, excluding tax, for delivery to a single address):
Ground (standard) delivery, orders $115 and over | FREE |
Ground (standard) delivery, orders under $115 | $9 per address |
2-day delivery | $28 per address |
Overnight delivery | $45 per address |
Note: Overnight orders must be completed by 12 pm ET to ship the same day.
Enjoy Free Gift Wrapping and Free Ground Shipping Every Day!
It's always been a hallmark of ours. When other merchants charge $5 per package for gift wrap — we offer it for free!
Gift Box
Your jewelry will always ship in a gift box or gift pouch.
Gift Wrap
If you would like your gift box wrapped or to send a personalized gift message, simply choose "Gift Services" during checkout. You can select to have your box wrapped in our elegant silver paper and enter your gift message, which we will hand-write on our gift card.
Contact Us:
From 9:30 AM to 4 PM Eastern Time, Monday through Friday
You may also request a phone appointment.
Our customer service team is here to help you with any question you might have.
1-800-636-7886
service@efgdesigns.com
Sumbit a form
EFG Designs
For shipments only:
Four Leaf Designs
360 Maple Ave, Unit 132
Westbury, NY 11590
Freshwater cultured pearls are cultured through an implantation process similar to that of the saltwater, except that no shell bead is needed. A tiny piece of tissue stimulates the freshwater mussel to produce nacre, coating the tiny implant and creating the freshwater cultured pearl. Freshwater culturing originated in the waters of Lake Biwa in Japan, and the first freshwater cultured pearls were sometimes called "Biwa" pearls. Today, due to heavy pollution, Lake Biwa is no longer a producer of commercial quantities of pearls. Fortunately, China has taken over this role, and recent harvests have yielded breathtaking sizes and qualities of cultured freshwater pearls. They come in natural pinks, mauves and peaches, as well as color-enhanced blacks, bronzes and greys. Smaller quantities of freshwater cultured pearls are also grown in the southeastern United States, as well as other locales around the world.
For more information about pearls see our complete Pearl Guide.
Our exacting standards, meticulous attention to detail, and friendly service ensure that you will always be completely satisfied with your fine cultured pearl selection from EFG Designs.
If you have questions, email us at: service@efgdesigns.com.
Special Care for Cultured Pearl Jewelry
- Freshwater and saltwater (akoya) cultured pearls are often bleached to achieve a more uniform, desirable hue. Many pearls, particularly from freshwaters, are dyed or otherwise treated to create more vivid and interesting hues. These treatments are all permanent.
- Cultured pearls have an organic surface coating (called 'nacre'), which is susceptible to chipping. It requires special care to prevent chipping, cracking or discoloration.
- "Last on, First off." Put your cultured pearls on after applying all cosmetics, hairspray, nail polish or perfume. Similarly, remove them before beginning your nighttime beauty regimen.
- Never wear cultured pearls while bathing, swimming, or working with chemicals. These substances may damage the surface of your cultured pearls, or weaken the silk on which they are strung.
- Use only a clean, soft cloth to wipe your cultured pearls and cultured pearl jewelry after wearing. Store them in a soft pouch, cloth or jewelry box to prevent scratching by other jewelry.
- If your cultured pearl jewelry becomes more heavily soiled, it’s time for a more thorough professional cleaning and restringing. Strung necklaces and bracelets, when worn often, should be restrung at least every few years.
For more information on jewelry care see our complete Jewelry Care Guide.
If you have questions about how to care for your jewelry, email us at: service@fortunoffjewelry.com.
Enjoy Free Gift Wrapping and Free Ground Shipping Every Day!
It's always been a hallmark of ours. When other merchants charge $5 per package for gift wrap — we offer it for free!
Gift Box
Your jewelry will always ship in a gift box or gift pouch.
Gift Wrap
If you would like your gift box wrapped or to send a personalized gift message, simply choose "Gift Services" during checkout. You can select to have your box wrapped in our elegant silver paper and enter your gift message, which we will hand-write on our gift card.
General Shipping Information
- We make every attempt to fill your order as quickly as possible. Most in-stock orders are shipped within 3-4 business days.
- Our standard residential shipping method is USPS Priority Mail.
- We require a signature upon delivery for orders over $700 and for all orders being delivered to an apartment, suite or business.
- Expedited orders that are designated for Overnight or 2-Day service (Fedex) may not ship the same day they were ordered. These are subject to normal order processing and fulfillment, including security screening that protects you, our customer.
- Merchandise will be billed to your credit card when ready to ship, with the exception of custom orders, which are billed at time of order.
- If your order cannot be shipped within 4 business days after it is confirmed, we will notify you by e-mail and/or phone. For items that are back-ordered, special order or require sizing or personalization we will contact you regarding ship date.
- For rush orders, special situations, or stock inquiries, please call our Customer Service Team at 1-800-636-7886 or e-mail service@efgdesigns.com.
- We do not ship orders on Friday, Saturday or Sunday. We ship the next business day.
- We do not ship to international, APO or FPO addresses.
- Our jewelry ships in a gift box. Free gift wrapping and hand-written gift cards are available when you indicate your request at "check-out" in the appropriate fields.
- If you don't require a box, we can ship in a pouch.
Shipping Method
Shipping rates are based on the shipping method you choose. We offer the following services (all are based on total purchase, excluding tax, for delivery to a single address):
Ground (standard) delivery, orders $115 and over | FREE |
Ground (standard) delivery, orders under $115 | $9 per address |
2-day delivery | $28 per address |
Overnight delivery | $45 per address |
Note: Overnight orders must be completed by 12 pm ET to ship the same day.
Contact Us:
From 9:30 AM to 4 PM Eastern Time, Monday through Friday
You may also request a phone appointment.
Our customer service team is here to help you with any question you might have.
1-800-636-7886
service@efgdesigns.com
Sumbit a form
EFG Designs
For shipments only:
Four Leaf Designs
360 Maple Ave, Unit 132
Westbury, NY 11590